Process of making ticket packets with the tickets of each packet having consecutive and constant numbering thereon

ABSTRACT

Process of making ticket packets wherein the tickets of each packet have consecutive plate numbers and a constant serial number thereon, and wherein the tickets of other packets each respectively have a different serial number with the same progression of plate numbers for the tickets of each packet. A plurality of sheets are printed, each with a number of tickets thereon identified by a different plate number printed successively in series after which sheets of one series are collated with sheets of successive series to form stacks. The tickets on the sheets of each stack are printed with a serial number by perforating said number through the stack. The sheets of each stack are then fastened together along rows of the tickets, after which the stacks are cut into ticket packets. Tear lines may also be provided for the tickets of each packet.

United States Patent [191 Frain PROCESS OF MAKING TICKET PACKETS WITHTHE TICKETS OF EACH PACKET HAVING CONSECUTIVE AND CONSTANT NUMBERINGTHEREON [76] Inventor: John J. Frain, P.O. Box 94,

Rockaway Beach, NY. U694 [22] Filed: May 4, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 357,377

[1 3,822,876 July 9,1974

Primary ExaminerLawrence Charles Attorney, Agent, or F irm-Watson, Cole,Grindle & Watson 57 ABSTRACT Process of making ticket packets whereinthe tickets of each packet have consecutive plate numbers and a constantserial number thereon, and wherein the tickets of other packets eachrespectively have a different serial number with the same progression ofplate numbers for the tickets of each packet. A plurality of CCll.270/15 Sheets are printed, each with a number of tickets [58] Fie'ld I11245 thereon identified by a different plate number printed successivelyin series after which sheets of one series are collated with sheets ofsuccessive series to form stacks. The tickets on the sheets of eachstack are [56] References cued printed with a serial number byperforating said num- UNITED STATES PATENTS her through the stack. Thesheets of each stack are 1,503,375 7/1924 Pendergast 101 /426 then fatened together along rows of the tickets, after 1,586,915 6/1926Pendergast 270/ 1 which the stacks are cut into ticket packets. Tearlines :2??? may also be provided for the tickets of each packet. lll

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures M PRlNTlNG PERFOlZAlNG APPLYlNG rem r-------i currma APPLYlNG FASTENERS AIENTEB 3 ,822,876

SHEET 1 [If 3 A f v 11 {P/Z O/E mar) 1 601 1101 10011401 B 4 s luv 16,101 '101 130119011501 A B ZZZV & k k

A B 222V PAIENTEBJUL 91974 sum 2 or 3 56.2

coLLmNe.

PFZN'UNG SEXUAL NOS AND PLM'E NOS.

19m TO 3000 CUT'HNG W Ci O FREE \00 SPAQE PROCESS OF MAKING TICKETPACKETS WITH THE TICKETS OF EACH PACKET HAVING CONSECUTIVE AND CONSTANTNUNBERING THEREON This invention relates generally to a process ofmaking ticket packets, and more particularly to a process which resultsin the formation of such packets wherein each ticket of a packet has thesame serial number thereon different from the tickets of each otherpacket although the tickets of each packet have the same progressiveplate numbers imprinted thereon.

Normally, ticket packets of this type, especially for Bingo games andthe like having game numbers imprinted on each ticket, have the sameserial number imprinted on the Bingo specials or tickets of the packetswhich are used during a specific playing time. Also,

the tickets of each packet of *specials" have different sets of playingnumbers thereon with each set being identified by a progressivelydifferent plate number. In the process of making these packets, 30 ofsuch tickets, five wide and six deep, are first printed on a singlesheet with the sets of game numbers on each ticket varying and beingeach identified by a progressively changing plate number. Any number ofsuch sheets in varying colors are printed after which second andsubsequent stacks of similar sheets are imprinted although the ticketsin each stack will be respectively printed with a different serialnumber. Thereafter, 30 tickets per sheet are printed, this time withdifferent sets of game numbers from the first grouping of sheets witheach set being identified on each sheet by a different progressiveseries of plate numbers. Stacks of such sheets are printed with thetickets of one stack having a different serial number from the otherstack, the serial numbers in each stack however being the same as thoseof the first grouping stacks. Third and subsequent groupings aresimilarly printed with the sets of game numbers for the tickets in eachgrouping varying along with their identifying plate numbers so thatultimately, 100 groupings as above described are printed up. Thisresults in the production of 100 groupings each with any number ofstacks of sheets, the first stack of each grouping having the sameserial number on all the tickets thereof with a series of progressivelydifferent plate numbers on each sheet differing progressively from thesets of plate numbers on the other sheets. The same holds true forsecond and subsequent stacks of each grouping. Sheets with the sameserial numbers on their tickets are then collated to form stacks ofcollated sheets for what is known as the 3000 series. Normally, thecollated stacks are cut along horizontal rows after which the sheetsthereof are glued together and cut along their vertical rows to produceticket packets with the tickets of each packet having the same serialnumber but progressive platenumbers on the tickets of each packet.

Throughout the above-described extensive process, it can be readily seenthat, should any one of the collated sheets requiring the same serialnumbers on each of the tickets thereof, happen to have an incorrectserial number printed on any one ticket, the entire 3000 series must bediscarded. Also, it has been found that the serial number may be easilytampered with by a player simply by altering one of its digits. Anotherdisadvantage in the use of this process is the-large number of printedstacks required for making ticket packets with different serial numbers.The space requirement is costly and expenditures for labor are high.

The principal object of the present invention is therefore to produceticket packets with the same type serial numbers and plate numbersthereon as before although in a simpler and faster and much moreeconomical manner than heretofore devised.

Another object of this invention is to provide a process of making suchticket packets in which serial numbers for the tickets of each packetare imprinted by perforating through the collated sheet stacks duringthe process of production thereby substantially economizing on theproduction process and rendering the tickets substantially,tamper-proof.

A further object of this invention is to provide such ticket packetswherein the serial number perforation step takes place between collatingand cutting of the sheets to form individual ticket packets.

A stillfurther object of this invention is to provide such ticketpackets wherein the tickets of each sheet along the horizontal rows maybe secured together and wherein tear lines may be provided along theserows.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of the inventionwhen taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are graphic illustrations showing the various steps incarrying out the prior art process;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a single ticket produced in accordance with theprior art process;

FIG. 4 is a graphic illustration showing the steps in carrying out theprocess in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4A is a plan view of part of a single sheet of tickets'produced inaccordance with the present process.

Turning now to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer tolike and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the prior artprocess will first be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In arotary or plate press operation, any number of sheets 10 are printedeach with 30 game tickets 11 thereon, each ticket having a selected setof different game numbers printed thereon. A typical set of game numbersfor a ticket 11 is shown in FIG. 3 as being identified by plate number100. Of course, the 29 remaining tickets 11 each have different sets ofgame numbers each identified by a different plate number such as 20l and301. Normally, five tickets 11 are printed along horizontal rows 12while six of the tickets are printed along vertical rows 13. Each ofthese tickets with their various sets of game numbers is identified by aplate number which, in the case of sheet 10, commences with plate No. land evenly progresses by digits so as to end with plate No. 290l. Atypical plate number for a ticket 11 can be seen printed in the freespace in FIG. 3 as 101, such plate number also being printed at thelower right hand comer of the ticket. During the printing pressoperation, a serial number is also printed in ink on each of the 30tickets of sheet 10. Such serial number is, for the sake of illustrationand clarity,- designated by Aalthough it should be pointed out that theserial number is normally a multi-digit number, such as 2426. As can beseen in FIG. 3, this serial number is superimposed over the letter N ofthe word BINGO printed at the top of each ticket for such game.

Any number of sheets are printed up as described above in any number ofcolor sets. Thereafter, sheets 14 are printed up in a similar mannerwith 30 tickets 11 each having the same set of game numbers as in sheet10 with each set identified by the same plate numbers 1 through 2901 ason sheet 10. (Sheets 14 and the remaining sheets in FIG. 1 are shownsmaller and with only the first and last plate numbers thereon in theinterest of clarity.) However, sheets 14 are ink printed with the nextsucceeding serial number which is, in this illustration, designated as Bto avoid confusion with the plate numbers for this illustration. Again,any number of sheets 14 are printed in an identical manner using anynumber of colors for the sheets. Thereafter, sheets 15 are printed withidentical plate numbers as sheets 10 and 14 except that the serialnumber again changes and the next succeeding serial number C is used.Any number of further stacks of sheets, similar to 10, 14 and 15, areprinted each with succeeding serial numbers so that the last stack ofsheets 16 is printed with serial number ZZZV if 100 stacks in the firstgrouping are intended to be printed. The stacks of sheets 10 through 16each with the same plate numbers 1 through 2901 and succeeding serialnumbers A through ZZZV are designated as the first grouping.

A second grouping of sheets must now be printed up starting with sheets17 as having 30 tickets thereon, each with different sets of gamenumbers thereon which also differ from the sets of game numbers of sheet10 and which are now each identified by plate numbers 2 through 2902with 100 digits separating each plate number as before. The same serialnumber A is printed in ink on each ticket of sheet 17 similarly asdescribed for sheet 10. As in the first grouping, sheets such as 18, I9and through 21 are printed with 30 tickets each having the same sets ofgame numbers and respective plate numbers as sheet 17 except with serialnumbers B, C and through ZZZV for the respective sheets 18, 19 andthrough 21.

A third grouping of sheets 22 to 25 are printed each with succeedingserial numbers A, B, C, and through ZZZV except with plate numbers 3through 2903 for still different sets of game numbers for each of thetickets thereon. Fourth and subsequent groupings of sheets are printedup in a similar manner, each with different sets of plate numbers untilthe 100th grouping of sheets 26 to 29 are printed up, each withsucceeding serial numbers A, B, C, and through ZZZV and each with platenumbers 100 through 3000. Any number of sheets 10 through 29 are printedup as above described on sheets of any number of different colors.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the above-described printing step of FIG. 1 isgenerally illustrated by block 31 as the first series of steps in theproduction process. The next step requires that a single sheet from eachof the 100 groupings having serial No. A be collated together so that acollated stack 32 is formed as having tickets with plate numbers Ithrough 2901 on the top through sheets with the last having tickets ofplate numbers 100 through 3000. In the next step of the prior artprocess, each of the collated stacks of I00 sheets of identical serialnumbers is cut along horizontal rows 12 after which the top edges of thecollated sheets are applied with an adhesive 33. Rows 12 are thereafterout along vertical rows 13 thereby forming individual packets 34 oftickets. It should be noted that all the necessary serial numbers arenot illustrated in FIG. 2 in the interest of clarity.

Because a hundred stacks of sheets for each serial number must beprinted up before collating, it can be seen that a large storage orwarehouse area is required for such a great number of stacks. Moreover,should any one of the sheets for serial number A, for example, bemisprinted with an incorrect serial number, the entire collated stack ofsheets for serial number A is wasted. In addition, it has been foundthat the inkprinted serial number is capable of being easily tamperedwith by the player since the serial number is normally a four or fivedigit number. A ticket from a previous game may therefore be very easilytampered with.

To avoid these difficulties and to more economically produce the ticketpackets, sheets such as 10, 17, 22, etc. are printed up as in the priorart with 30 tickets each having the same plate numbers 1 through 2901, 2through 2902, etc. A 100 stacks each with respective plate numbers 1through 2901 up to 100 through 3000 are therefore printed with anynumber of sheets in any number of different colors, substantially asbefore. However, no serial numbers are printed on any of the sheets sothat the number of stacks is limited by the invention to 100 for the3000 series." FIG. 4 graphically illustrates the step by means of ablock 35. The next step in the process according to the inventionrequires that one sheet of each 100 stacks be collated together so thata collated stack 36 of sheets is formed similar to stack 32 as beforeexcept that no serial numbers have as yet been imprinted. Thereafter,collated stack 36 is placed in a perforating machine to effect aprinting by perforating serial number A through each of the 100 sheetsof the collated stack simultaneously on each of the tickets. The serialnumber is located in the same relative position on each ticket as beforeexcept that, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 4A, the serial numbers areeach formed by a series of perforations on the sheet 10.

The next step in the process according to the present invention involvesthe application of tear lines 37 horizontally adjacent the top edges ofeach row 12 of tickets 11. These tear lines are defined by a series ofdisconnected slits extending through the 100 collated sheets andapplied, if desired, at the same time as the serial numbers are printedby perforating the collated stack. Fasteners, which may be in the formof staples 38, are then applied along each tear line near the tops ofeach ticket. These fasteners are, however, not applied through the stackof 100 collated sheets. Instead, the 100 sheets are separated into fourstacks of 25 sheets each before the fasteners are applied. In the finalstep of the process according to this invention, the stapled togetherstacks of 25 collated sheets are cut vertically and horizontally toeffect packets such as shown in FIG. 4 as the end product. Each BINGOticket may accordingly be easily and conveniently torn along itsrespective tear line 37 by the ushers at the BINGO game at the timethese BINGO specials are sold.

As an alternative to the provision of tear lines 37 and staples 38 foreach stack of collated sheets, the collated stack may be cut intohorizontal rows after the serial numbers are imprinted on each ticket byperforating as earlier described. As in the prior art process, aquantity of adhesive is applied along an edge of rows 41 of ticketswhich may be then cut vertically to separate the tickets and formpackets which differ from packets 34 of the prior art process by havingserial numbers imprinted thereon by perforating.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present process used in theproduction of packets of tickets such as BINGO specials avoids the needfor a large number of printed stacks of sheets since the serial numbersare not applied to the tickets until after the collating step.Accordingly, it is only necessary to print up 100 stacks of sheets eachwith 30 tickets thereon of various sets of game numbers, each having adifferent progression of plate numbers for the sheets in each stackinstead of having to print up multiples of the hundred stacks of suchsheets as before. This amounts to a tremendous saving in time and laboras well as in warehouse space which, by itself, is quite costly.Moreover, printing of the serial numbers by perforating through thestack of 100 sheets positively assures that each of such sheets of eachcollated stack is provided with the correct serial number, therebyavoiding any waste in having to discard any collated stack of sheets asbefore which oftentimes had an incorrect serial number imprinted on oneor more of the tickets of one or more sheets. The perforated serialnumbers also render the tickets substantially tamper-proof since none ofthe digits of the serial number can now be altered by the user which hasoccasionally occurred with those serial numbered digits printedheretofore by inking. Lastly, the use of stapled fasteners and tearlines for each packet of tickets permits the usher to convenientlyseparate each ticket from the packet without the possibility of theentire packet falling apart at some time during the separation oftickets as before. Moreover, the unsold tickets for each packet can beeasily accounted for at the time they are turned in by the ushers.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to theproduction of BlNGO specials, but also includes the games of LOTTO,BEANO, and any other form of five-letter words using BINGO as a base. lneach instance, the serial number would be superimposed over the thirdletter of the game word.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in the light of the above teachings. lt is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. Process of making ticket packets wherein each ticket of a packet hasthe same serial number and successively numbered plate numbers thereon,comprising the steps of:

printing vertical and horizontal rows of first tickets on sheets of afirst set of sheets including the printing on said tickets of a firstseries of identification plate numbers having the same progression ofnumbers for each said sheet;

printing vertical and horizontal rows of second tickets on sheets of atleast a second set of sheets including the printing on said secondtickets a second series of identification plate numbers having the sameprogression of numbers for each said sheet of said second set;

successively collating a sheet of said first set with a sheet of saidsecond set to form a plurality of collated sheet stacks;

successively printing said sheets of said collated sheet stacks with adifferent serial number by successively perforating a different serialnumber through said sheets of each stack;

applying securing means along one of said rows adjacent one end of saidtickets of each said collated stack; and

cutting said collated stacks along both said rows to form individualpackets of tickets secured together.

2. The process according to claim 1 wherein said securing means comprisestaple fasteners, and further comprising the step of applying tear linesalong one of said rows of said sheet stacks inwardly of said staplefasteners.

3. Process of making ticket packets wherein each ticket of a packet hasthe same serial number and successively numbered plate numbers thereon,comprising the steps of:

printing vertical and horizontal rows of first tickets on sheets of afirst set of sheets, including the printing on said tickets of a firstseries of identification plate numbers having the same progression ofnumbers for each said sheet;

printing vertical and horizontal rows of second tickets on sheets of atleast a second set of sheets, including the printing on said secondsheets a second series of identification plate numbers having the sameprogression of numbers for each said sheet of said second set;

successively collating a sheet of said first set with a sheet of saidsecond set to form a plurality of sheet stacks;

successively printing said sheets of said sheet stacks with a differentserial number by successively perforating a different serial numberthrough said sheets of each said stack;

cutting said sheet stacks along said horizontal rows to form rows ofstacked tickets;

applying securing means along a long edge of each said stacked tickets;and

cutting said rows of stacked tickets along said vertical rows to formindividual packets of tickets secured together.

4. The process according to claim 3 wherein said securing meanscomprises a quantity of adhesive applied along said long edges.

1. Process of making ticket packets wherein each ticket of a packet hasthe same serial number and successively numbered plate numbers thereon,comprising the steps of: printing vertical and horizontal rows of firsttickets on sheets of a first set of sheets including the printing onsaid tickets of a first series of identification plate numbers havingthe same progression of numbers for each said sheet; printing verticaland horizontal rows of second tickets on sheets of at least a second setof sheets including the printing on said second tickets a second seriesof identification plate numbers having the same progression of numbersfor each said sheet of said second set; successively collating a sheetof said first set with a sheet of said second set to form a plurality ofcollated sheet stacks; successively printing said sheets of saidcollated sheet stacks with a different serial number by successivelyperforating a different serial number through said sheets of each stack;applying securing means along one of said rows adjacent one end of saidtickets of each said collated stack; and cutting said collated stacksalong both said rows to form individual packets of tickets securedtogether.
 2. The process according to claim 1 wherein said securingmeans comprise staple fasteners, and further comprising the step ofapplying tear lines along one of said rows of said sheet stacks inwardlyof said staple fasteners.
 3. Process of making ticket packets whereineach ticket of a packet has the same serial number and successivelynumbered plate numbers thereon, comprising the steps of: printingvertical and horizontal rows of first tickets on sheets of a first setof sheets, including the printing on said tickets of a first series ofidentification plate numbers havinG the same progression of numbers foreach said sheet; printing vertical and horizontal rows of second ticketson sheets of at least a second set of sheets, including the printing onsaid second sheets a second series of identification plate numbershaving the same progression of numbers for each said sheet of saidsecond set; successively collating a sheet of said first set with asheet of said second set to form a plurality of sheet stacks;successively printing said sheets of said sheet stacks with a differentserial number by successively perforating a different serial numberthrough said sheets of each said stack; cutting said sheet stacks alongsaid horizontal rows to form rows of stacked tickets; applying securingmeans along a long edge of each said stacked tickets; and cutting saidrows of stacked tickets along said vertical rows to form individualpackets of tickets secured together.
 4. The process according to claim 3wherein said securing means comprises a quantity of adhesive appliedalong said long edges.